“Whether you think you can, or you think you can’t—you’re right.” — Henry Ford
We’ve all heard it before: “If only I had more willpower, I’d be able to lose weight, quit smoking, wake up early, exercise more…” The list can be endless. But here’s the truth: willpower doesn’t exist! You heard me , it's not a real thing. There is no magical force that some people have and others don’t. The idea of willpower as an internal superpower the only some possess—an unlimited source of strength that determines success or failure—is a myth designed to keep us trapped in cycles of self-doubt.
Why the Idea of Willpower is Flawed
The concept of willpower is often used as a way to explain why some people succeed while others don’t. It suggests that those who struggle simply lack something within themselves. This belief is ultimately damaging. It can make you feel like a failure before you’ve even begun. If you think you lack willpower, why would you even try?
It’s time to let go of this false narrative. There is no mystical, all-powerful force within some lucky few that allows them to automatically resist temptation or push through every obstacle. The difference between those who achieve their goals and those who don’t is not willpower—it’s something far more real and accessible: The Power of Your Will.
The Power of Your Will
Unlike the mythical concept of willpower, your will is real. It is your intention, your vision, and your deep, internal drive to create change. What you truly will for yourself—what you can picture with conviction—you can achieve. Your brain responds to what you consistently imagine and believe, reinforcing patterns of thought and action.
If you only focus on what you “should” do but don’t actually see yourself doing it, your subconscious mind won’t engage. But when you clearly visualise the outcome, when you will something for yourself, your mind starts to shift in that direction. The difference between those that do and those that don't is simply belief. If you believe you can't, you won't and vice versa.
What You See, You Will Be
Your mind doesn’t distinguish between a vividly imagined experience and a real one. Studies in neuroscience have shown that when we mentally rehearse an action, the same areas of the brain activate as if we were physically doing it. This is why top athletes, performers, and high achievers use visualisation techniques to enhance their performance.
If you see yourself as someone who struggles and fails, your brain will make that a reality. But if you can shift that vision—see yourself succeeding, taking small steps, making progress—your actions will start aligning with that belief.
Small Steps, Big Shifts
You don’t need a huge burst of so-called willpower to get started. You just need one thing: a single step in the right direction. Momentum builds. Each small action reinforces your belief in yourself, making the next step easier. Over time, this creates a powerful shift, not because of some mythical force but because you have engaged your will and followed through.
The Takeaway
You are not lacking anything. You don’t need to summon willpower to make changes in your life. What you need is clarity—what do you truly will for yourself? What vision can you hold onto with conviction? The power of your will is what turns dreams into reality, one small step at a time.
Let’s rewrite the narrative—your success isn’t about willpower. It’s about what you truly will for yourself.
If you would like to find out how hypnotherapy could help you with goal setting, visualisation, focus, momentum and much more please contact me to arrange a free Discovery Call.
Warmest wishes,
Kim
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